National Assembly told to create a law banning use of thugs in elections

Pioneer Nigerian astronaut, Owolabi Salis, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently create a law that will stop politicians from using thugs and hooligans during elections.

He said Nigeria must take this step if the country truly wants to have free, fair and safe elections.

Salis explained that any politician who needs protection should get security from the police or from registered private security companies.

He said such organisations are known, licensed, and can be punished if they commit crimes. In contrast, hired thugs and hooligans behave without control and cannot be easily held responsible.

He noted that in many developed countries such as those in Europe and America, the use of political thugs is very rare. According to him, this is one of the main reasons elections in those countries are peaceful, organised and free from serious violence.

He said Nigeria can achieve such a standard if politicians stop relying on violence.
Salis also encouraged civil society groups, activists and non-governmental organisations to campaign for this law.

He said they must pressure government agencies to treat the matter as urgent so that Nigerians will no longer fear participating in elections.
He accused some politicians of encouraging crime by arming their private gangs.

According to him, some politicians provide guns, hard drugs and money to these thugs so that they can attack opponents.

He explained that when elections are over, the same politicians abandon these men without jobs or support.

Because they already possess weapons and have been exposed to violence, many of them later turn to kidnapping, banditry, robbery and community violence.
Salis said this has contributed to the insecurity facing the country today.

He stressed that thugs are often used to snatch ballot boxes, disrupt voting centres and alter election results, which destroys the people’s trust in democracy.

He further stated that many experienced and qualified Nigerians are afraid to enter politics because they do not want to be harmed or embarrassed by violent gangs. He said this has prevented honest and competent people from contesting positions of leadership.

Salis warned that a society where leaders encourage violence cannot enjoy peace.

He added that there are moral and spiritual consequences for anyone who supports evil actions, saying such wrongdoing harms both current and future generations.

According to him, until Nigeria cleans its political system and removes thuggery completely, the country will continue to suffer insecurity and weak governance.

He said true democracy can only thrive when elections are free from fear, intimidation and violence.